What is the new Environmental Land Management Scheme?

When Britain finally leaves the EU, farmers and landowners will see a significant change to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Rural Development Programme (RDPE).

Farmers in England currently receive £2.2 billion of support, £1.76 billion of this is through BPS and £0.4 billion is through the RDPE. The Agricultural Bill published in September 2018, showed the Government’s intent to phase out Basic Payments from 2021 to 2028 and replace agri-environmental schemes with a new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). ELMS are likely to pay farmers for public goods, support farmers for greater agricultural production and increase animal health and welfare.

The UK Government will be working on these new agricultural, environmental and industrial policies between 2019 and 2021. It is difficult for farming businesses to assess the potential impact of the policy changes without more details on the amount and timing of new ELMS payments.

James Douglas of King West advises “farmers need to start thinking now about how they can increase their profits from farming. Some difficult decisions might need to be taken by choosing to farm only where there is profit. Farmers cannot afford to wait and see what happens as there could be a large funding gap on the introduction of ELMS.”

If you require any advice or support with Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship schemes or a profit audit of your farm, in the first instance, please contact James Douglas jdouglas@kingwest.co.uk or by telephoning the Market Harborough office on 01858 435 970